National Drought Monitor

The primary concern on the High Plains centered on locally severe flooding in the Missouri River Basin, though localized dryness intensified in some western locales.
Education, change: beneficial discomforts

Cargill nutritionist pushes producers to reach for more
BLM and Forest Service grazing fees lowered in 2019

he Federal grazing fee for 2019 will drop to $1.35 per animal unit month. This represents a decrease from the 2018 Federal grazing fee of $1.41 per AUM.
Taiwan rises to the top as a potential export market for Wyoming beef

In October, the Wyoming Business Council was involved in shipping beef to Taiwan for a government reception in Taipei. The shipment consisted of ribs and loins to serve about 120 people. The country was pleased with the product, and have requested more Wyoming beef to be shipped by air.
Land values stubbornly stable as farmers keep buying

Farm Credit Services of America, based in Omaha, Nebraska, reported its benchmark farm values down 1.4% in Iowa compared to six months ago, but up 0.7% compared to a year ago. In Nebraska, farmland values decreased a slim 1% in six months, barely changed from the 0.9% drop from a year ago. South Dakota’s farmland values slipped 0.6% compared to July and are down 2% compared to last January. Wyoming saw an increase of 3.1% in six months, similar to the 3.6% increase it saw a year ago.
Pen of SimAngus heifers wins BHSS commercial heifer show
Two heifers to be given away during Watertown Winter Farm Show

Heifer Heist, as it has been dubbed, presents next generation producers, those 17 years and younger, with the opportunity to enter into a drawing to win a Red Angus Commercial Heifer from Namken Red Angus of Lake Norden. Current producers, those 18 years and older, can enter into a separate drawing to win a Black Angus Commercial Heifer from RBM Livestock of Florence.
Today’s land market is holding its breath, uncertainties persist

Farm and ranch land is the key financial bedrock for American agriculture as land makes up 82 percent of total assets for the industry. With today’s uncertainties in agriculture, everyone involved with owning, buying or selling ag land is holding their breath to see what will happen next with the market and prices.
Dan and Kate Warner named Gelbvieh Association Breeder of the Year

Dan and Kate Warner of Warner Beef Genetics, Arapahoe, Nebraska, were honored as the American Gelbvieh Association’s (AGA) Breeder of the Year for 2018 during the awards banquet held at the 48th Annual AGA National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
Rogue Pack of wolves takes down seventh cow

Authorities say gray wolf OR-7’s Rogue Pack has killed another cow at a northeastern Jackson County, Oregon ranch, marking the seventh confirmed livestock kill attributed to the pack since late October.
American Simmental Association conducts carcass genotyping project

The American Simmental Association (ASA) recently initiated a large genotyping project to collect more carcass records and genotypes on sire-identified terminal calves to improve progeny equivalents for carcass traits.
SDSU Extension beefSD Class 4 announced

SDSU Extension beefSD program is excited to announce the Class 4 line up for the 2018-2020 program. Twenty-nine South Dakota cattle producers from 18 ranching and farming operations from across the state were selected.
Industry leaders confirm phase-out of select grade beef

Select grade beef has an important past in the cattle and beef business. However, its tonnage is shrinking and will continue to trend lower in the coming decade, based on collaborative research conducted across all beef industry segments.
American Angus Association elects new officers, board leadership

A total of 298 delegates from 41 states and districts represented Association members at the Annual Convention of Delegates and elected the 2018-2019 officers and directors. Directors can serve up to two three-year terms on the board and, if elected, serve additional one-year terms in office as president and chairman and/or vice president and vice chairman. Elected to his first term is Jim Brinkley, Missouri, and elected to their second three-year terms are James Coffey, Kentucky; Chuck Grove, Virginia; Mike McCravy, Georgia; and Mick Varilek, South Dakota.
Marketing practices for your small ag business

The scenario: A small-size, locally-owned business provides a great product that is useful to the ag industry but wants to grow sales and doesn’t know exactly where its time and money is best spent. Sound familiar? Lori Maude, a Senior PR Content Specialist with marketing services agency Bader-Rutter, has 25 years of experience in the field as well as a ranching background. She gives marketing tips on what has served her clients well over the years.